Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-03-10

family. On an occasion somewhat simi
lar to this he stated that he had kuowr
and we'll remembered my great grand
father, aud also my grandfather, the
latter of whom died nearly sixty yeart
ago. | can remember Judge Wootten as
long as eau remember anything, and
rarely met him for the firsttime on visit
here that he did not at oDce inquire for
my children, always using the expression
with respect to one of them, And how
is my boy getting along2 Thus
It has happened that in my
own family this life that he has passed
away Tapped over five generations. We
put away the memory of Judge Wootten
In the robust manliness of his fouracore
years. Remarkable at any time, but won.
derfully so at an age of strife, unrest and
tumult, when 80 often long before the
allotted span the burdened brain breaks
down, the pallid hand stands still, the
wearied heart faints away from the pulse
of life. Calm and serene, then defyine
decay, outIasting strife, holding fast "a
the end well-earned and fair renown, Q
vestige of the past, bulwark to the
present, an augury to the coming genera
tion of Delaware lawyers in recalling
Judge Wootten, let US think of and emu
late.
In seoonding the adoption Of the reso
luton Benjamin Nields, Esq, said. ~
do not remember the time when Judge
Wootten was not associated with the
superior court Of this State. The char
acter of the deceased has made lis i'm.
preston upon the bar of this county. He
was remarkably strong man in court,
and certainly so as a lawyer. His strength
lay principally in his broad common
sense. know of none so marked in that
way. His opinions, while we'll equipped
in law, were governed by the law OF
common-sense In giving his opinions
he was concise, and strict co struc-
ZIONIST of the statute. He was at all times
kind, courteous and patient with the
younger members of the bar. While he
was somewhat strict he never forgot
his own position as q judge. he never
forgot his dignity upon the bench. do
not know of another instance of man
arriving at his extreme age while occupy
ing a position on the bench retaining
such clear memory of all cases in which
he had any experience. He could. tell
within one day of his death almost all
the cases which he had adjudicated.
Names, events and incidents he never for
got. He was noticeable for the following
three Characterization broad common
sense, thorough equipment in law and a
retentive memory. He has made as great
judge as Delaware has seen. During
his long Judicial career not a single word
has dropped from his lips that would
hurt any one, while, as private citizen,
know of none that will be greater loss.
William O. Spruance, Esq, said: got
to appreciate the deceased Judge the
more highly the longer I knew him.
Judge Wootten could scarcely be con-
sidered great jurist. He was not notice
able for lengthy and elaborate opinions,
was well grounded in law, had excellent
sense and remarkably retentive memory.
When he had occasion to write an
opinion 1t was lucid, tsrse and strong.
think these were the characteristics of
his opinions striking force and clearness
of expression combined with the justness
and propriety of the conclusions which
he rendered. He was faithful in the dis
charge of his duties, seldom absent from
the bench, and never without good cause.
He was a good judge and a courteous
gentleman. He mellowed with years.
was especially struck with his
kindly characteristics at the recent
session of the superior court. The de-
ceased was remarkable also for his ex-
cellent social qualities. He seemed to
me to drop out of life not as an old man,
but as strong young man, stricken
down in the prime of life. think it will
be difficult thing to fill the place of the
deceased. mourn his loss sincerely,
not alone as judge, but as a friend. He
was gentleman of the olden time" The
speaker coDcurred in the affectionate per.
SSeaas expressions IL regard TO Judge
WOotten made by the previous speakers.
Levi o. Bird, Esq followed Mr.. Spru
anoe. He said II do not remember when
l was more shocked than when reading
the dispatch stating that Judge Wcotten
had died. l had left him about a week
ago on Friday, as far as his appearance
went man of strength and vigor. Judge
Wootteia had been for more than 40 years
my friend, and mean my warm personal
friend. l loved to be with him. loved
to hear him speak of times gone by, of
tradition and history. During my fathers
life he always kindly inquired for him.
That alone endeared him to me. he was
in my judgment an honest, upright
judge. He took no sides. He did what
was right. My friend Mr.. Spruance, re.
ferred to the deceased as man of the
olden times. He looked Ike it as he sat
in that chair. He loved the olden times
and places. He loved, as my friend Mr..
Bates said, his own State. In the opinions
given by Judge Wootten delivered last
term Iwas struck with thegreat common
sense of them.n
Anthony Higgins, Esq, followed Mr..
Bird and said: "The general qualities of
the deceased gentleman endeared him to
every member of the bar. None hesitated
to appear before him as an advocate. It
has appeared to me that during the latter
years of his life a warmer and closer feel
ing had grown up between him and the
members of the bar. Perhaps as the
older members passed away he opened
bis arms and took us to the vacant place
made so by their departure. I doubt not
that 1t will be admitted by common con-
sent of all that we owe him great debt
for his manliness of character and his
dignity upon the bench of which he has
been for such long time an adornment.
It has been stated that the best part of
good judge is his good heart--and that
the deceased had. He had grounded
himself for 40 years in the elements of
his profession. The State has lostfh good
lawyer, q good judge, and all of us q
good friend"
Mr.. Higgins was followed by Austin
ESQ.,, who said: when l
think, Mr.. Chairman, of the long CON-
panionship and association of Judge
Wootten; First, with father who for
years was his colleague upon the bench,
and who enjoyed his full confidence and
respect, and later with O brother for
whom, think can say, he entertained
those close attachments and tender feel
ings almost akin to that affection which
exists between father and son; and then,
my own personal relations
with Judge IWootten, and his many words
Of encouragement and kindly interest,
feel that / cannot let this occasion pass
without adding my humble tribute to his
character and word in expression of q
profound respect for his memory, and
Of q sincere sorrow at his death.
His long and faithful services as
Judge won for him the confidence and re-
spect of the bar and the grateful aeknowl-
edgement Of the people of the entire
State. In Lis death the State has sus-
Iained the loss of learned jurist, an mp
right judge and one of the most hon
orable citizens. But of the personal
of Judge Wootten, of his true
and generous qualities as man, deem
Y privilege and an honor to testify to
that inyariable friendly treatment, will
lingly extended, and which charac-
terized him and which he was always
ready to give TO. all, especially to
the younger Practitioners at the bar, and
10 that sympathy exhibited by him which
a certain confidanne and falt